Research Article
Hierarchical Modeling of Child Stunting Using Kenya Demographic Health Survey Data
Ombaka Ogolla*
,
Richard Simwa,
Cheruiyot Kipkoech
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-10
Received:
16 October 2025
Accepted:
5 November 2025
Published:
15 January 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.11
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Abstract: Child stunting reduction is the first of 6 goals in the Global Nutrition Targets for 2025 and a key indicator in the second Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger. The prevalence of undernutrition is decreasing in many parts of the developing world, but challenges remain in many countries. For instance,the prevalence of stunting is 30.7% in Africa - higher than the global average of 22.0%. In Kenya, more than a quarter of children under the age of five, or two million children, have stunted growth. Stunting is the most frequent form of under-nutrition among young children. If not addressed, it has devastating long-term effects, including diminished mental and physical development.Child under-nutrition in Kenya has decreased in recent years. Levels of child stunting fell from 35.2% in 2009 to 26% in 2014 and wasting from 7% in 2009 to 4% in 2015. In Kenya, Coast Province has the highest stunting rate with (30.8%) and the lowest in Nairobi Province (17.2%). Despite this advancement, the world is still unlikely to achieve that goal in the global nutrition targets. Our study intends to investigate on crucial prognostic factors influencing child stunting in Coast, Kenya. The principal objective of this paper is to determine the effect of socioeconomic and demographic variables on child stunting in presence of dependencies in clusters and households. The study then uses variable selection technique, which is an artificial intelligence techniques to select covariates with the highest predictive power from the robust KDHS 2022 data. Additionally, a proportional hazards assumption test was carried out for the chosen covariates. Those covariates that satisfied the proportionality assumption were finally included in the frailty model to takes care of the presence of dependencies within the households. Data used were based on the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS 2022), which were collected by use of questionnaires. Child stunting from the, KDHS 2022 data, was analyzed in an age period : stunting from the age of 12 months to the age of 60 months, referred to as “child stunting”.
Abstract: Child stunting reduction is the first of 6 goals in the Global Nutrition Targets for 2025 and a key indicator in the second Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger. The prevalence of undernutrition is decreasing in many parts of the developing world, but challenges remain in many countries. For instance,the prevalence of stunting is 30.7% in Af...
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Research Article
Factors Associated with Post-vaccination Immunity Against COVID-19 in Benin
Setondji Geraud Romeo Padonou*,
Romeo Adegbite,
Landry Kaucley,
Clotaire Kpossi,
Mariane Gnanvi,
Merveille Aniambossou,
Leila Djagaly,
Rilwane Yessoufou,
Badirou Aguemon
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
11-19
Received:
27 November 2025
Accepted:
15 December 2025
Published:
16 January 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.12
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Abstract: Introduction: Vaccination remains the primary strategy against COVID-19. However, data may not reflect actual population immunity. This study aims to determine the seroprevalence of post-vaccination immunity against COVID-19 in Benin and identify associated factors. Methods: A cross- sectional descriptive and analytical study was conducted from April to September 2023 in 21 hospital centers across Benin's twelve departments and included 3802. Post-vaccination immunity was defined by the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG antibodies and the absence of anti-NCP IgG antibodies, using the Euroimmun ELISA test. Data were analyzed using STATA software with multivariate logistics regression. Results: Seroprevalence of post-vaccination immunity was 41.56%. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with this immunity were age (adjusted OR=1.56; 95% CI [1.09-2.59]), residence within the former sanitary cordon (aOR=1.34; 95% CI [1.14-3.01]), history of hypertension/cardiovascular disease (aOR=3.25; 95% CI [1.41-4.63]), and history of diabetes (aOR=2.73; 95% CI [1.89-3.93]). Conclusion: Post-vaccination immunity is higher among vulnerable groups (elderly, comorbidities) and those in strategic urban zones, reflecting the prioritization of vaccination campaigns. Recommendations are proposed to target younger populations and rural areas to strengthen collective immunity.
Abstract: Introduction: Vaccination remains the primary strategy against COVID-19. However, data may not reflect actual population immunity. This study aims to determine the seroprevalence of post-vaccination immunity against COVID-19 in Benin and identify associated factors. Methods: A cross- sectional descriptive and analytical study was conducted from Apr...
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Research Article
Risk Factors Associated with Intrauterine Fetal Death at the Kalaban-Coro Reference Health Center in Mali, 2023
Abou Sogodogo*,
Nouhoum Telly,
Yah Kone,
Salia Keita,
Mahamoudou Coulibaly,
Oumar Sangho,
Cheick Abou Coulibaly,
Souleymane Sekou Diarra,
Borodjan Diarra,
Abdoul Salam Diarra,
Hamadoun Sangho
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
20-29
Received:
7 December 2025
Accepted:
19 December 2025
Published:
16 January 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.wjph.20261101.13
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Abstract: Background: In-utero fetal death is a public health problem associated with several factors. The main objective was to study the factors associated with in-utero fetal death at the Kalaban-Coro referral health center in 2023. Methods: This was a case-control study including 70 cases and 134 controls. The study was conducted from July 1, 2023, to November 13, 2024. The cases were patients with fetal death who were not in labor, with a gestational age ≥ 22 weeks of amenorrhea or a fetal weight ≥ 500g and with a usable obstetric record. The controls were mothers who had given birth to live babies at term. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 software. Logistic regression was performed to identify the factors. The association was considered significant when the confidence interval excluded 1. The significance threshold was 5%. We adhered to the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: The risk of intrauterine fetal death is five times higher in women with multiple pregnancies (aOR = 5.25; 95% IC: 1.05-26.29). This risk was 16 times higher in women who had experienced antepartum hemorrhage (aOR= 16.4; 95% IC: 1.33-202.7). The absence of prenatal care increased the risk of intrauterine fetal death by 45.37 times (aOR= 45.4; 95% IC: 2.38-866.4). Conclusion: Advanced prenatal care strategies are needed to reduce the burden of intrauterine fetal death.
Abstract: Background: In-utero fetal death is a public health problem associated with several factors. The main objective was to study the factors associated with in-utero fetal death at the Kalaban-Coro referral health center in 2023. Methods: This was a case-control study including 70 cases and 134 controls. The study was conducted from July 1, 2023, to No...
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